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Functions of Device Drivers For the Hardware and Software Components

However, device drivers are coded differently for conforming to the requests of the application and the features of the hardware component. >

Device drivers act as programs tasked to translate application or user requests into a form comprehensible to the hardware. Despite the diversity of features coded directly into an application, it does not contain the necessary procedures that can allow it to directly relay its requests to a hardware device.

They are programmed to receive related software requests for using the features and functions of the corresponding hardware device. These requests usually take the form of high-level codes from a programming language used in the creation of the software.

Device drivers subsequently convert such related application or user requests into machine language or codes comprehensible to the hardware component after it receives the requests. The result would be the implementation by the hardware device of the related application or user requests.

A programming language called Assembly has the capability to directly tap into the functionality of a device. However, it is not compatible with the design and complexity required by user’s for high-end applications.

A simple example of such device driver activity is when a user tries to view a music file using a third-party application such as Windows Media Player. The media application then relays the user’s instructions to the sound device through the use of the audio device driver. The user can subsequently view the audio data contained in the music file through the speakers or headphones attached to the sound card of the machine.

Hardware devices also require the capability of device drivers to provide users with the ability to directly manipulate its functionality. Aside from using a third-party program to achieve this, a user may change the settings and configurations of a hardware device using its respective drivers. This is usually the case of display and sound devices installed in the computer.

However, the correct device drivers need to be installed before a related application or a user can manipulate a hardware device and use its bundled functions or features. One should always consider these factors when installing the correct drivers for a particular hardware device: the version of the operating system used; manufacturer of the device and the model or make of the hardware component.